About

Thank you all our backers and supporters. We haven’t reached our goal this time, but this is just the start! We will continue our mission, to change the future of play by bringing Avakai to life.
You still want to be one of the first to get the Avakai? Go to our website to pre-order!

And we think it's worth to take 2 min of your time and read one of our supporter's, Vi's, personal reflection on our Avakai here. It is very rewarding to us to read such a deep understanding of our vision.

Avakai are play companions that encourage screen-free play and emotive communication. The lovingly crafted, durable and locally sourced wooden figurines use Bluetooth technology, bridging the gap between traditional toys and mobile devices. Avakai superpowers inspire imaginative and social activities for kids, together with their families and friends.

The technology inside Avakai allows it to sense proximity, touch and movement, reacting with sounds, colored light and haptic feedback. The Avakai work best in pairs, but even with one figurine kids can already start playing and communicating with another mobile device, that has our app installed.

Avakai was developed with kids between 5 and 9, but we've also seen children as young as 3 and as old as 68 years excited about our companions.

Lasting - so many kids products fade away after just a couple of days. Avakai is made to last, both because of the materials and timeless design but also because of evolving ways of use.

Social - Avakai are built to connect, to play together, promoting social interaction and empathy.

Outdoors - Avakai are one more reason to go out and play outside, e.g. hide-and-seek in the park or treasure hunt on the beach!

Screen-less - even if Avakai bring modern mobile technology with them, the play and interaction are available for all senses.

Open - Avakai are built to inspire and motivate the creativity within kids, not to dictate the rules.

Safe - Avakai are built with privacy in mind — no cameras, no microphones, plus additional security controls on parents devices.

If you buy two Avakai, they are automatically connected to each other. They can send messages, feelings and sense each others’ presence — no batteries, no setup, no apps needed.

Only have one Avakai? You can connect your Avakai to a mobile device that has the free Avakai app installed. You can send tonal messages and hugs to each other, and use the phone to hunt for your Avakai when you play games like treasure hunt.

You can change who your Avakai connects to by using the app. Set up the Avakai to connect to another Avakai or to a mobile device. You can change who your Avakai is connected to at any time, and as a parent, you have full control.

Over short distances, Avakai are connected by Bluetooth. But your Avakai can also communicate long-distance! When the distance is further than 50m, the Avakai can still be connected via the mobile app. The app works in the background so no need to open it every time, for your Avakai to remain connected.

Usage

The figures will have a long-lasting battery that can be easily charged using a standard USB cable, like the one you use to charge your smartphone. Based on average usage, we are aiming the figurine to be charged once per week. After a longer hide-and-seek game the little figure might need a power-up already in the evening.

We care for Avakai to be beautifully made as much as to support highly skilled, talented craftsmen in European manufacture. Working together with them is part of our grand adventure. In a small town in Poland we found masters who through their experience and craft helped us transform our ideas into new unique shapes. Based on their knowledge and capabilities we’ll be able to achieve the production quality usually available only for the exclusive design objects.

The Avakai will be crafted out of a high-quality wood, grown in responsibly managed forests according to European eco-standards.

Avakai will correspond strictly to all EU (EN71, directive 88/378/EWG, 93/68/EWG) and US standards and requirements for toys safety in terms of materials, manufacture and labeling. We use safe certified non-toxic paints based on natural components.

Vai Kai was founded by two people who wanted to change the way children are affected by today’s world.

Justyna has a unique combination of skills - in the past she has designed wooden toys and also built tangible interfaces. While studying Interface Cultures associated with Ars Electronica Center in Linz, she became interested in how people's lives are affected by dealing with digital world. Justyna is inspired by beautiful design objects, haptic qualities and the magic of technology.

Matas is a software developer and a product manager, in the last few years he has helped to develop and grow SoundCloud, the biggest community of sound creators in the world. After 15 years in digital products he felt it’s time to remember the craftsmanship traditions of his family and start building things again. Matas has 2 daughters, who are the first and most important critics and testers of Vai Kai products.

Today, Vai Kai consists of a diverse team of professionals, working with full dedication on building great product for today's kids. Our advisors include people who designed the original interactions of the XBOX Kinect, built software integrations between SoundCloud and Apple, Facebook and Twitter. They created products and services at the biggest design agencies like IDEO, invented ways for blind people to see with their hands, and continue to teach students to innovate the world we are going to live in.

Our first prototypes were born back in October 2014 and already after 48 hours we were testing them with the future customers:

In the months after that we created several generations of prototypes, looking for the perfect form:

We tested them with kids in different settings, outside, at home, at children’s parties and schools:

We learned a lot—play dynamics, new play scenarios even technical requirements. Some of the best ideas came from the kids themselves, e.g. hiding of notes and expressing emotions through colors!

Risks and challenges

CERTIFICATION:
Toys and kids’ products are subject to strict safety regulations. We’ll be partnering with an expert evaluation company that specializes in required tests and we’ll make sure that Avakai adheres to the latest EU and US safety norms.

DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING:
Our prototypes are already built from a manufacturing perspective, we are using electronic components that are widely available and manufacture-quality wooden tooling. However, we are aware that because of the unique combination of functionalities and materials in our product we might need to introduce additional changes to meet necessary manufacturing and certification requirements. We will make sure that our supporters are informed about any of manufacturing-related changes we might encounter during the pre-production phase.

MASS PRODUCTION:
Building hundreds and thousands of units is a complex process, which depends on people, parts and tools all running in sync. If one of these parts is affected, the production line might be disrupted and the final delivery might be delayed as a result. If we encounter such problems, we promise to inform our supporters, be transparent and do everything it takes to deliver the final products.

WE BELIEVE WE CAN BRING THE AVAKAI TO LIFE!
We are supported by a strong network of engineers, manufacturers, toy specialists and advisors. We are prepared for the challenges that might appear on our way to building the Avakai. As a company we dedicate ourselves fully in building remarkable products for the today’s families, and bringing Avakai into children’s hands is our uttermost priority. We believe that long term relationships with our customers will be built on trust, and trust is based on transparency and communication. That’s why we will make sure that our supporters are always informed.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €69 or more
About $79

-- ONE SUPER EARLY BIRD AVAKAI! --

One of the first Avakai available at 30% discount! You’ll have a choice between natural finished or a colored wooden Avakai. To show you how much we appreciate your support your name will be listed on the Supporter page of our website. Be one of the first to PLAY and receive our stickers & badges on top.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €99 or more
About $113

-- ONE AVAKAI --

Be part of our play revolution! Pre-order one Avakai in the Kickstarter edition - choose between naturally finished or a colored wooden Avakai. On top of that, your name will be mentioned on our website's Supporter page.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €119 or more
About $135

-- ONE NO-TECH AVAKAI, SUPER EARLY BIRD --

Enjoy the Avakai in it's purest form: You'll receive a pure wooden figurine before anyone else, NO ELECTRONICS INSIDE!. This design statement is ready to join your home already in 2015! As a Thank You, your name will be listed on our website's Supporter page.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €129 or more
About $147

-- EARLY BIRD AVAKAI COUPLE --

Pre-order before anyone, two Avakai with a 30% discount. Communicate, play Hide-and-Seek or Treasure hunt, directly, no app required! You have the choice between a naturally finished or a colored Avakai. Be the first to discover new ways of playing together! As an added bonus, your name will be listed on the supporter page of our website plus you'll receive Vai Kai stickers & badges, to be a Vai Kai supporter in Style!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €149 or more
About $170

-- AVAKAI COUPLE EXTRA --

Pre-order two Avakai for 25% less! Communicate, play Hide-and-Seek, Treasure Hunt, directly, no app required! You have the choice between a naturally finished or a colored Avakai. Be the first to discover new ways of playing together! As an added bonus, your name will be listed on the supporter page of our website plus you'll receive Vai Kai stickers & badges, to be a Vai Kai supporter in Style!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €199 or more
About $226

-- TWO AVAKAI, MORE FUN --

Pre-order two Avakai. Now best friends can play Hide and Seek or Treasure Hunt, no app required! You have the choice between a naturally finished or a colored Avakai, Kickstarter edition. Now you are ready to start playing together! Also, your name will be added on the supporter page of our website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €249 or more
About $283

-- EARLY BIRD - HAPPY THREE --

Pre-order three Avakai before anyone else! One more present to gift! You have the choice between naturally finished or colored Avakai, Kickstarter edition. As an added thank you, your name will be mentioned on the Supporter page of our website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €299 or more
About $340

-- HAPPY THREE --

Become a special fan: Pre-order three Avakai. One more present to gift! You have the choice between naturally finished or colored Avakai, Kickstarter edition. As an added thank you, you receive a personal invitation to our Campaign Wrap party in Berlin. We can't wait to meet you! As an added thank you, your name will be mentioned on the Supporter page of our website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €499 or more
About $568

-- ITS AN AVAKAI PARTY --

Become an all star Vai Kai member, and be one of the first to receive five Avakai, Family edition. Invite all the kids together and throw a party! On top of that, you'll Skype with us for 30 minutes and we'll share wonderful ideas and suggestions around Avakai. Also, your name will be added on our website's supporter page.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €879 or more
About $1,000

-- HAPPY TEN AVAKAI! --

Do you own a design or a kids store and would like to test Avakai? Or would you like to give a special gift to a school of your choice? You'll receive ten pre-ordered Avakai and also a 30min Skype call with us! As an added thank you, your name will be mentioned on the Supporter page of our website.